Curse

In_Flames · Feb 09, 2008, 01:26 AM // 01:26

I just started a ranger. I am still a very low lvl but im starting to wonder if the -2 skill slots is worth it. Should I just wait tell higher lvl. Do you use your pet at lvl 20?

Stormlord Alex · Feb 09, 2008, 01:32 AM // 01:32

Only in builds where I'm actually running any beastmastery (hammer/spear-wielding rangers... that's about it)

For an archer, it's deadweight that could be taken up by better skills.

Alex the Great · Feb 09, 2008, 01:34 AM // 01:34

the only good pure beast build uses enraged lunge, which is pretty good

Kyrein · Feb 09, 2008, 03:40 AM // 03:40

ONLY good one?
i protest! my BM owns!

RavagerOfDreams · Feb 09, 2008, 06:49 AM // 06:49

depends....

if you play pve the pet is used as a meat shield/exploitable corpse in b/p teams so level doesnt really matter here

pvp its mainly used for thumpers and packhunters pets level should be 20 ^_^

however i would suggest if you WANT a lvl 20 pet to just simply wait until your farther in the game then cap the alrdy lvl 20 Black Moa near HzH

TurtleTurtle · Feb 09, 2008, 07:08 AM // 07:08

They got rid of the exploitable corpse part in a recent update.

Div · Feb 09, 2008, 11:10 PM // 23:10

Pets are either bad or part of bad gimmicks.

Amy Awien · Feb 09, 2008, 11:32 PM // 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by In_Flames

Pet Worth It?

Yes, pets can be worthwhile, though you'll usually need a few more skills then just the two. Builds around Enraged Lunge do lots of damage, which is what pets do best besides being tough.

Quaker · Feb 10, 2008, 01:08 AM // 01:08

I use my pet almost all the time. He acts as a body blocker.

Master Ketsu · Feb 10, 2008, 01:34 AM // 01:34

actually, pets are better for PvE when you are low level. At low level, you wont have enough expertise to make a viable bow based damage build. Beast mastery fails for its lack of control, but gives you more for the cost.

October Jade · Feb 11, 2008, 08:02 AM // 08:02

There are a few places where a pet really shines, mostly because soloing as a ranger isn't often easy. I took down both the Glacial Griffon and the Rabid Bear with a BM build. No spirit spam necessary.

Beyond that though, it's mainly just for fun...my kitty has never seen hard mode.

pygar · Feb 11, 2008, 07:34 PM // 19:34

I didnt like pets for a while, now I like em again..... I use 3 skills- charm and comfort, and then Disrupting Lunge to round out my interrupt bow attacks.

Funny thing about those "wasted" beast skill slots....when I ran w/out beast those last 3 slots had to be self survival skills, blocks, heals, run stances whatever- with the pet I get targeted and hit a lot less making it so I dont seem to need blocking and healing anywhere near as bad (this is in addition to pets also being a good way to up your DPS and make enemies go away faster). Also using the controls (tho limited) can be huge with pets.... I can send mine off to harrass one target while turning my own attention to somebody else. Locking the pet to a target also makes it rather difficult to truly run away from me....sure you can run behind that wall to escape my bow, but the wolf is going to stay on your arse til you kill it or cripple it.

cgruber · Feb 11, 2008, 08:10 PM // 20:10

If it's dire its worth it. Enemies will target it since it's health is (should be) lower than the rest of your team. It also will do more dmg than a non-dire pet and with no DP upon death just keep rezing it without penalty. (Ok your skills black out for a few seconds).

I run a volley + splinter wep + spirit strength bow rit and bring the pet along to tank and cast ancestors rage on it. Very effective..

Sir Pandra Pierva · Feb 11, 2008, 08:15 PM // 20:15

mostly in PVE i never use a pet i just grab one for show and raise it to lvl 20 and set it to heel and never attack so it just sits there and looks pretty. Thats when I H/H and dont feel like doing anything else

Theosephus · Feb 14, 2008, 07:39 AM // 07:39

I don't use a pet much now that I've worked out some effective builds.. but I wouldn't count out pets just yet.

Note that while you're lying flat on your ass from a knockdown, your pet skills are still immediately available.

I've often found myself in a situation where I've preferred a pet interrupt over cancelling an action or waiting for my current action to complete.

Granted, it might be a small advantage in the midst of a number of disadvantages (2 skill slots being the biggest one), but it's still notable.

Flem · Feb 14, 2008, 03:20 PM // 15:20

I just started using "Heal As One" and that skill is pretty awesome, imo. Yea, it takes up the elite slot, but its a really decent heal, recharges fast at low energy cost and instantly pops my pet back up at 50% hp. So, really I only have 1 "wasted" slot. I use my pet for conditions (poison and bleed), disrupting lunge, and presure/defense. It's mainly just for fun and wouldn't work well in high lvl PvP, but works out just fine in AB and PvE

MasterSasori · Feb 15, 2008, 04:14 AM // 04:14

Pets are nice if you want to have rover there gnawing the brains out of a PvE monster, but they aren't the best choice in PvP.

So back to the question is it worth it: it depends on whether you think its fun or whether you want to PvP.

I personally don't use my pet because its a worthless crab that should be boiled in beer and eaten with butter, but its fun once in a while to use with BHA.

pygar · Feb 15, 2008, 04:25 AM // 04:25

Pets can be plenty good in 4 vs 4 formats of PvP as well as PvE.

Trvth Jvstice · Feb 15, 2008, 06:06 AM // 06:06

I hope, as does everyone else, that Anet will someday make the Ranger/Pet build work in high lvl PVE. Otherwise, they're just a fun way to play low- med lvl PVE. Or when henching/heroing as they don't care what you do. And heck-it's PVE as long as you guide your henches/heros correctly, it doesn't matter if you use pets or not.